An encounter

After noting down the location, Fang Zelin and the old Daoist priest parted ways.

The other party still needs to gain more experience, and Fang Zelin's presence might actually hinder that experience.

"It seems unlikely that we'll find any other cultivators. Let's wait until their training period is over, and then see if we can make contact with them."

Fang Zelin looked in the direction the old Daoist priest had left and pondered for a moment.

According to the old Daoist priest, the location of the immortal mountain cannot be found outside.

With this in mind, Fang Zelin saw that it was still early, so he immediately continued on his way to Yuanqing Prefecture.

After spending some time leaving Jiangxing Prefecture, Fang Zelin arrived at the territory of Yuanqing Prefecture.

Fang Zelin had barely stepped into the territory of Yuanqing Prefecture when he sensed that things were different here.

For example, once you enter the territory of Yuanqing Prefecture, you can feel that the roads here are extremely well-maintained.

Although there was no cement or similar material, the road was indeed very well maintained.

It can be said that one can feel the great difference here even before stepping into the territory of Yuanqing Prefecture.

At this time, there were also many more people around, many of them horse-drawn carts transporting grain.

Fang Zelin hadn't gone very far when he saw several convoys of grain being transported past.

"They really are stockpiling food."

Fang Zelin watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh.

After walking along the official road for a while, we came to see waterwheels and endless rice paddies.

The rice paddies, acre by acre, have basically all been harvested.

Seeing this, Fang Zelin couldn't help but take a few more glances.

After traveling more than ten miles along the official road, they could see in the distance a wine flag fluttering in the wind.

It turned out to be a tavern located by the roadside.

Upon seeing the tavern, Fang Zelin subconsciously touched his pocket, his face immediately stiffening.

"I never imagined I'd be such a big spender. I brought over forty taels of silver with me when I left, and now it's all gone."

Fang Zelin's face fell into a look of helplessness as he thought of this.

We'll have to be careful with our spending from now on.

After passing the tavern, Fang Zelin continued walking forward.

As they walked along the official road and the sun began to set in the distance, Fang Zelin realized something was wrong.

Is this section really that far?

Fang Zelin picked up the map and looked at it; the distances were not clearly marked on the map.

He himself misjudged the distance.

Now, I'm afraid we'll have to sleep in the wilderness.

Fang Zelin muttered something to himself.

Hearing Fang Zelin's murmur, Bearing the Heavens behind him suddenly buzzed.

The gist is that it means Dad can be protected.

Fang Zelin felt greatly comforted upon hearing this.

Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly saw a light in the distance, Fang Zelin let out a soft exclamation upon seeing this.

"There seems to be someone ahead?"

Upon seeing this scene, Fang Zelin glanced at the setting sun and immediately walked forward.

The sun hadn't even set yet, and fires were already burning ahead.

"You tell me, with so many demons in Cloud-Linking Mountain, it won't be easy to build a city there."

"No matter how difficult it is, there's no other way. We outsiders are better off building our own city."

Whispers could already be heard inside the dilapidated temple.

It wasn't dark yet, but a fire had already been lit.

A group of people were roasting goat over a bonfire, and the rich aroma wafted through the air.

Someone was watching over it, occasionally brushing on some oil and adding some seasonings.

The rendered oil from the roasting process fell into the firewood, immediately producing a sizzling sound.

"Jiuchuan, why aren't you saying anything?"

A group of people were chatting idly when someone noticed that their companion was not speaking and was just keeping their head down, which seemed rather strange.

Upon hearing this, Jiuchuan raised his head, revealing a face that was slightly covered in dirt and grime.

I just remembered something.

"Thinking about that friend from before again?"

Upon hearing this, the others nearby immediately burst into laughter.

They knew the person Jiuchuan was talking about, who said they wanted to form a legendary duo in the game, but then that person disappeared.

Jiuchuan has tried to contact the other party multiple times but has been unable to reach them.

"Yeah, I don't know what happened to that guy. Even if he had something to say, he should have left a message. He just disappeared without a trace."

At this point, Jiuchuan's face was filled with frustration.

If I ever get the chance to meet that guy, I'll definitely give him a good talking-to.

"Alright, since you can't get in touch with him, don't worry about it too much. By the way, you should wash your face; look at the state it's in."

Those who saw it shook their heads.

Upon hearing this, Jiuchuan immediately took out a water bag, poured out some clean water, and began to wash.

While washing, he said with a helpless expression, "This Cloud-Linking Mountain is really strange. Not to mention the demons, the mountain fires are also very strange. They just keep burning and I just can't put them out."

"Never mind that, we've already explored most of the mountains. We should work together to clean up after that."

The man wielding the long sword spoke at that moment.

The words had barely left his lips when his expression hardened slightly. "Silence, someone's coming."

Upon hearing this, everyone else looked towards the doorway.

The next moment, a person dressed in a blue robe, with his hair styled in a bun with a hairpin, and carrying a sword on his back appeared.

As soon as the man walked in, Jiuchuan's eyes narrowed slightly. Looking at the extremely familiar face in front of him, an expression of disbelief gradually appeared on his face.

"Fang Zelin?"

Jiuchuan looked at the newcomer, sized him up, and then called out with a hint of uncertainty.

Fang Zelin, who had just entered, was about to discuss with the people here whether he could stay overnight.

However, as soon as he entered the door, someone called out his name.

This moment made Fang Zelin pause for a moment, and he looked in the direction of the sound.

Immediately, a man stood up beside a campfire. The man was rather handsome, and a long knife hung at his waist.

Fang Zelin looked at the man, a sense of familiarity washing over him, "Jiuchuan?"

Fang Zelin was also taken aback when he saw the man.

We had seen each other's photos on each other's social media before.

Looking at the other person's appearance now, one can discern some clues.

It really is you!

Jiuchuan looked at Fang Zelin and was overjoyed. He quickly got up and walked over.

Upon arriving, he landed a punch directly on Fang Zelin's chest. "What's wrong with you, kid? Haven't heard from you in over a year, have you? I sent you so many messages and you didn't even reply."

Sensing the other person's joy, Fang Zelin was also very happy.

He had been thinking before whether he should go back and tell the other person, so that they wouldn't worry.

However, due to some delays, the matter was put on hold.

I never expected to run into you here today!